appeared iii volume vii., No. 2, of Forestry. That table was 

 rather too elaborate for ordinary average purposes, but if they 

 deleted certain things, such as the third class of timber, they 

 thought that it would meet the case. He himself had drawn up 

 a short table, based on his own experience, which might be of use 

 in the same connection. The Committee were of opinion that, 

 in sending out these tables, they should rather go to local 

 secretaries than to individual foresters. The prices varied so 

 much that, unless they got a local man who was acquainted with 

 the district as a whole to fill up the return, they might have 

 difficulty in fixing what were the average prices, everything 

 considered. Mr Kay also suggested, and he agreed with the 

 suggestiou, that they should try, if possible, to collect infor- 

 mation as to the ultimate destination .of the timber, and the 

 prices received. This would be more difficult to get than the 

 other information, but it might be tried. He was sorry to say 

 that many foresters did not know what their timber was suited 

 for, and what it was used for by buyers. If they knew that, 

 they would have a better idea what they ought to get for it. 



The Chairman said he felt very much interested in what Mr 

 Mackenzie had said. It was important to know not only the 

 prevailing prices of timber in Scotland, but also the best means 

 of disposal of what they had to sell. In this connection, he had 

 thought it would be of interest to members to include in the 

 Transactions a statement of the timber imports for the last three 

 years. That statement showed the notable fact that while the 1899 

 figures showed an increase of about one and a quarter millions 

 sterling over those of 1898, those of last year showed a still further 

 increase of the remarkable sum of three millions sterling. In 

 other words, their imports of timber in three years had increased 

 by about 25 per cent. With the growing exhaustion of the visible 

 means of supply, that could not go on, and he was hopeful that 

 those landlords who had had the foresight to put their woods in 

 order, would by and by reap a benefit from the enhanced prices 

 which were sure to prevail. 



Mr Forbes, Masham, Yorkshire, said the table suggested by 

 Mr Mackenzie from Forestry was of no use. Instead of quoting 

 first:, second, and third quality of timber, if they stated the depth 

 of the bark and the quarter-girth, they would very soon know 

 what class of timber it was. They had also to consider the 

 immense differences that there was between prices, even in 



